Communication, College of Liberal Arts, Class of 2012 

Enterprise Management Trainee Intern, Summer 2011

What would you tell your peers they need to do to find and secure a great internship?

Students need to start looking early for an internship. As the summer gets closer, the positions get more competitive because more students are applying for the same internship. Remember to ask your friends where they have interned before and see if they can refer you. Make sure you understand the responsibilities and tasks needed for an internship - this will help you greatly.

What did you learn from your internship search that you will apply in future job searches?

I learned to do my research on the job before and after applying. Knowing as much information as possible on the position you are applying for is extremely helpful in the interview process.

What skills are you using and/or learning at your internship that you can use in other internships and entry-level jobs?

I have used many skills that I learned from my college courses and my experience with Enterprise. I learned how to interact effectively with customers and listen to their needs. Some of my Communication classes have taught me how to understand non-verbal communication which has helped me interpret what a customer wants or needs without them actually saying it. I have also learned a lot about sales while interning at Enterprise. Although this internship is not based on commission, selling is a huge part of each employee’s daily routine. Learning to work together as a team with my fellow employees will also help me greatly with my future career. In order to succeed in this business you need to be able to work well with others.

What is one highlight from your internship experience?

Building the relationship with the customer and getting the sale is the most exciting part of my internship. I am extremely competitive and I hate to fail. This internship is very competitive - which has helped push me each day to try harder and succeed. I love coming into work and meeting new people every day and building a relationship with them. It is extremely rewarding when they have a positive experience with Enterprise because of my assistance. Once I build that relationship with the customer it is much easier to close the sale. Meeting interesting people and also working with amazing people has made this internship a great experience.

What is the most valuable part of your internship experience?

The most valuable part of my internship experience was taking the skills I had in customer service and building on them. Enterprise is one hundred percent focused on the satisfaction of their customers and employees and believes that with this, “the rest will take care of itself.” From this summer internship, I have learned how to turn a disappointed customer into a completely satisfied one. Customer service is extremely important in any industry, and I have been able to see first hand at Enterprise how it can make a company successful.